UpdatingMozillaSoftware: Difference between revisions

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Converted Thunderbird section to Firefox section format. Added last of mac screenshots. Organized. Added Troubleshooting section.
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You can also find installers and documentation for the latest versions of Firefox and Thunderbird here:
You can also find installers and documentation for the latest versions of Firefox and Thunderbird here:
*Firefox: http://www.getfirefox.com
*Firefox: https://www.firefox.com
*Thunderbird: http://www.getthunderbird.com
*Thunderbird: https://www.thunderbird.net


== Determining The Installed  Version ==
== Determining the Installed  Version ==


You can find out what version of Firefox or Thunderbird you have installed on you computer by opening up the application and choosing:
You can find out what version of Firefox or Thunderbird you have installed on you computer by opening up the application and choosing:
*"Help > About Mozilla [application]" from the menu bar on Windows
*"Help > About Mozilla [application]" from the menu bar on Windows
*"Firefox > About [application]" from the menu bar on Mac OS X
*"Firefox > About [application]" from the menu bar on macOS
where [application] is either "Firefox" or "Thunderbird.
where [application] is either "Firefox" or "Thunderbird".


== Updating Mozilla Firefox (Windows & Mac) ==
== Updating Mozilla Firefox (Windows & Mac) ==
*By default Mozilla Firefox will automatically update by itself. If it is currently disabled it can be enable with the following steps:
#First navigate to options (Windows) or preferences (Mac).
#Once in the options (Windows) or preferences (Mac) you navigate to the Firefox Updates section
#*Once in the Firefox Updates section you will see an option to “Automatically install updates”. If this is not already enabled it is recommended to enable this.


#To manually check for a Firefox update, click the Help menu on the menu bar, and select "Check for Updates..."
''Click on pictures to enlarge them''
#*On occasion, you may see "Apply Downloaded Update now...", rather than "Check for Updates..." -- the same process applies.
<br style="clear: both" />
#If there are updates available, click the "Get the New Version" or "Update Firefox" button
[[Image:windows-firefox1.png|thumb|left|300pxx300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 1: Navigate to options (Windows)]]
#*If no updates are available, click "OK" or "Done" to close the window.
[[Image:mac-firefox1.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 1: Navigate to preferences (Mac)]]
#When the install process is complete, you must restart Firefox. To close Firefox and re-open it, click "Restart Firefox".
<br style="clear: both" />
#Finally, verify that there are no more updates to be installed by performing Step #1 again. Depending on what version you start with, Firefox may need to run through this process multiple times.
[[Image:windows-firefox2.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 2: Navigate to advanced tab (Windows)]]
[[Image:mac-firefox2.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 2: Navigate to Firefox Updates (Mac)]]
<br style="clear: both" />
[[Image:windows-firefox3.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 3: Navigate to updates (Windows)]]
[[Image:mac-firefox3.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 3: Navigate to Automatic Updates (Mac)]]
<br style="clear: both" />


*If you do not want to have Mozilla Firefox auto-update you can check manually for updates with the following steps:
#First navigate to options (Windows) or preferences (Mac).
#Navigate to the Firefox Updates section (Windows and Mac)
#If an update is available click “Update to “Version”’ Button (Windows and Mac)
#Click “Restart to Update” button (Windows and Mac)
''Click on pictures to enlarge them''
<br style="clear: both" />
<br style="clear: both" />
[[Image:winfoxstp1.png|thumb|left|300px|Step 1: Check for Updates (Windows)]]
[[Image:windows-firefox4.png|thumb|left|300pxx300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 1: Navigate to Help (Windows)]]
[[Image:FFcheckUpdatesMac.png|thumb|300px|Step 1: Check for Updates (Mac)]]
[[Image:windows-firefox5.png|thumb|left|300pxx300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 2: Navigate to about Firefox (Windows)]]
[[Image:mac-firefox4.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 1: Navigate to Preferences (Mac)]]
<br style="clear: both" />
<br style="clear: both" />
[[Image:winfoxstp3.png|thumb|left|300px|Step 2: Get New Version (Windows)]]
[[Image:windows-firefox6.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 3: Click “Check for Updates” button (Windows)]]
[[Image:FFgetNewVersionMac.png|thumb|300px|Step 2: Get New Version (Mac)]]
[[Image:mac-firefox2.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 2: Navigate to Firefox Updates (Mac)]]
<br style="clear: both" />
<br style="clear: both" />
[[Image:winfoxstp2.png|thumb|left|300px|Step 3: Restart Firefox (Windows)]]
[[Image:windows-firefox7.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 4: Click “Update to  “Version’” button (Windows)]]
[[Image:RestartFirefoxMac.png|thumb|300px|Step 3: Restart Firefox (Mac)]]
[[Image:mac-firefox6.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 3:Click “Check for Updates” button (Mac)]]
[[Image:windows-firefox8.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 5: Click “Restart to Update" button (Windows)]]
[[Image:mac-firefox7.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 4:Click “Restart to Update" button (Mac)]]
<br style="clear: both" />
<br style="clear: both" />


== Updating Mozilla Thunderbird (Windows & Mac) ==
*By default Mozilla Thunderbird will automatically update by itself. If it is currently disabled it can be enable with the following steps.
#First navigate to options->options(Windows) or preferences(Mac).
#Once in the options(Windows) or preferences(Mac) you navigate to the advanced tab.
#Once on the advanced Tab you navigate to Updates.
#*Once in the updates tab you will see an option to “Automatically install updates”. If this is not already enabled it is recommended to enable this.


== Updating Mozilla Thunderbird (Windows & Mac) ==
''Click on pictures to enlarge them''
<br style="clear: both" />
[[Image:windows-thunderbird1.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 2: Navigate to options->options (Windows)]]
[[Image:mac-thunderbird1.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 1: Navigate to preferences (Mac)]]
<br style="clear: both" />
[[Image:windows-thunderbird2.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 2: Navigate to advanced tab (Windows)]]
[[Image:mac-thunderbird2.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 2: Navigate to advanced tab (Mac)]]
<br style="clear: both" />
[[Image:windows-thunderbird3.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 3: Navigate to updates(Windows)]]
[[Image:mac-thunderbird3.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 3: Navigate to updates (Mac)]]
<br style="clear: both" />


#To manually check for a Thunderbird update, click the Help menu on the menu bar, and select "Check for Updates..."

*If you do not want to have Mozilla Thunderbird auto-update you can check manually for updates with the following steps:
#*On occasion, you may see "Apply Downloaded Update now...", rather than "Check for Updates..." -- the same process applies.
#First navigate to help->about Thunderbird (Windows) and about Thunderbird (Mac).
#If there are updates available, click the "Get the New Version" or "Update Thunderbird" button
#Click the check for updates button (Windows and Mac).
#*If no updates are available, click "OK" or "Done" to close the window.  
#Click “Update & Restart” button (Windows) and “Restart to Update” button (Mac).
#When the install process is complete, you must restart Thunderbird. To close Thunderbird and re-open it, click "Restart Thunderbird".
#Finally, verify that there are no more updates to be installed by performing Step #1 again. Depending on what version you start with, Thunderbird may need to run through this process multiple times.  


''Click on pictures to enlarge them''
<br style="clear: both" />
<br style="clear: both" />
[[Image:Winstp1.png|thumb|left|300px|Step 1: Check for Updates (Windows)]]
[[Image:windows-Thunderbird4.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 1: Navigate to Help (Windows)]]
[[Image:CheckForThunderbirdUpdatesMac.png|thumb|300px|Step 1: Check for Updates (Mac)]]
[[Image:windows-Thunderbird5.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 2: Navigate to about Thunderbird (Windows)]]
[[Image:mac-Thunderbird1.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 1: Navigate to Preferences (Mac)]]
<br style="clear: both" />
<br style="clear: both" />
[[Image:Windstp2.png|thumb|left|300px|Step 2: Get New Version (Windows)]]
[[Image:windows-thunderbird6.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 3: Click “Check for Updates” button (Windows)]]
[[Image:ThunderbirdGetNewVersion.png|thumb|300px|Step 2: Get New Version (Mac)]]
[[Image:mac-thunderbird2.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 2: Navigate to Advanced Tab (Mac)]]
<br style="clear: both" />
<br style="clear: both" />
[[Image:Winthunstp2.png|thumb|left|300px|Step 3: Restart Thunderbird (Windows)]]
[[Image:windows-thunderbird7.png|thumb|left|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 4: Click “Update & Restart" button (Windows)]]
[[Image:RestartThunderbird.png|thumb|300px|Step 3: Restart Thunderbird (Mac)]]
[[Image:mac-thunderbird6.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 3: Navigate to Updates (Mac)]]
[[Image:mac-thunderbird4.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 4: Click on "Check for Updates" button (Mac)]]
[[Image:mac-thunderbird5.png|thumb|300px|alt=Refer to caption|Step 5: Click on "Restart to update Thunderbird" button (Mac)]]
<br style="clear: both" />
<br style="clear: both" />


== Troubleshooting ==
== Troubleshooting ==
If for some reason Firefox or Thunderbird refuses to update using the methods described above, you might try the Alternate Update Methods listed below. Otherwise, please stop by the [[HelpDesk]] and have a technician assist you.
If for some reason Firefox or Thunderbird refuses to update using the methods described above, please stop by the [[HelpDesk]] and have a technician assist you.
 
*[[UpdatingMozilla:AlternateWin|Alternate Update Method for Windows]]
*[[UpdatingMozilla:AlternateMac|Alternate Update Method for Mac OS X]]

Latest revision as of 19:36, 6 April 2026

Like most applications, it is important to keep your browser and email clients up-to-date to combat security flaws and gain new functionality. The instructions on this page should help you update Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird.

You can also find installers and documentation for the latest versions of Firefox and Thunderbird here:

Determining the Installed Version

You can find out what version of Firefox or Thunderbird you have installed on you computer by opening up the application and choosing:

  • "Help > About Mozilla [application]" from the menu bar on Windows
  • "Firefox > About [application]" from the menu bar on macOS

where [application] is either "Firefox" or "Thunderbird".

Updating Mozilla Firefox (Windows & Mac)

  • By default Mozilla Firefox will automatically update by itself. If it is currently disabled it can be enable with the following steps:
  1. First navigate to options (Windows) or preferences (Mac).
  2. Once in the options (Windows) or preferences (Mac) you navigate to the Firefox Updates section
    • Once in the Firefox Updates section you will see an option to “Automatically install updates”. If this is not already enabled it is recommended to enable this.

Click on pictures to enlarge them

Refer to caption
Step 1: Navigate to options (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 1: Navigate to preferences (Mac)


Refer to caption
Step 2: Navigate to advanced tab (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 2: Navigate to Firefox Updates (Mac)


Refer to caption
Step 3: Navigate to updates (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 3: Navigate to Automatic Updates (Mac)


  • If you do not want to have Mozilla Firefox auto-update you can check manually for updates with the following steps:
  1. First navigate to options (Windows) or preferences (Mac).
  2. Navigate to the Firefox Updates section (Windows and Mac)
  3. If an update is available click “Update to “Version”’ Button (Windows and Mac)
  4. Click “Restart to Update” button (Windows and Mac)

Click on pictures to enlarge them

Refer to caption
Step 1: Navigate to Help (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 2: Navigate to about Firefox (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 1: Navigate to Preferences (Mac)


Refer to caption
Step 3: Click “Check for Updates” button (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 2: Navigate to Firefox Updates (Mac)


Refer to caption
Step 4: Click “Update to “Version’” button (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 3:Click “Check for Updates” button (Mac)
Refer to caption
Step 5: Click “Restart to Update" button (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 4:Click “Restart to Update" button (Mac)


Updating Mozilla Thunderbird (Windows & Mac)

  • By default Mozilla Thunderbird will automatically update by itself. If it is currently disabled it can be enable with the following steps.
  1. First navigate to options->options(Windows) or preferences(Mac).
  2. Once in the options(Windows) or preferences(Mac) you navigate to the advanced tab.
  3. Once on the advanced Tab you navigate to Updates.
    • Once in the updates tab you will see an option to “Automatically install updates”. If this is not already enabled it is recommended to enable this.

Click on pictures to enlarge them

Refer to caption
Step 2: Navigate to options->options (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 1: Navigate to preferences (Mac)


Refer to caption
Step 2: Navigate to advanced tab (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 2: Navigate to advanced tab (Mac)


Refer to caption
Step 3: Navigate to updates(Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 3: Navigate to updates (Mac)


  • If you do not want to have Mozilla Thunderbird auto-update you can check manually for updates with the following steps:
  1. First navigate to help->about Thunderbird (Windows) and about Thunderbird (Mac).
  2. Click the check for updates button (Windows and Mac).
  3. Click “Update & Restart” button (Windows) and “Restart to Update” button (Mac).

Click on pictures to enlarge them

Refer to caption
Step 1: Navigate to Help (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 2: Navigate to about Thunderbird (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 1: Navigate to Preferences (Mac)


Refer to caption
Step 3: Click “Check for Updates” button (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 2: Navigate to Advanced Tab (Mac)


Refer to caption
Step 4: Click “Update & Restart" button (Windows)
Refer to caption
Step 3: Navigate to Updates (Mac)
Refer to caption
Step 4: Click on "Check for Updates" button (Mac)
Refer to caption
Step 5: Click on "Restart to update Thunderbird" button (Mac)


Troubleshooting

If for some reason Firefox or Thunderbird refuses to update using the methods described above, please stop by the HelpDesk and have a technician assist you.